dragonfly

noun

drag·​on·​fly ˈdra-gən-ˌflī How to pronounce dragonfly (audio)
: any of a suborder (Anisoptera) of odonate insects that are larger and stouter than damselflies, hold the wings horizontal in repose, and have rectal gills during the naiad stage
broadly : odonate

Illustration of dragonfly

Illustration of dragonfly

Examples of dragonfly in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Instead of mowing right up to the edge of the pond, the village has created a native vegetative buffer around the pond, and that’s great for dragonflies and damselflies which lay their eggs in the wet vegetation. Sheryl De Vore, Chicago Tribune, 3 Sep. 2025 The chipmunks teamed with an Australian mouse named Monterey Jack, his dragonfly pal Zipper, and the team’s mechanic, Gadget Hackwrench, to battle such villainous characters as Fat Cat and Professor Norton Nimnul. Will Harris, EW.com, 1 Sep. 2025 Encourage mosquito predators in your yard, including fish, dragonflies, fronts, birds and bats. Shelby Slade, AZCentral.com, 29 Aug. 2025 At Maire Nui Gardens, frangipani and hibiscus spill over lava rock paths, and dragonflies skim lily ponds. Lewis Nunn, Forbes.com, 24 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for dragonfly

Word History

First Known Use

1626, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of dragonfly was in 1626

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Cite this Entry

“Dragonfly.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dragonfly. Accessed 11 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

dragonfly

noun
drag·​on·​fly -ˌflī How to pronounce dragonfly (audio)
: any of a group of large harmless insects that have four long wings held horizontal and sticking out instead of folded to the side next to the body when at rest and that feed especially on flies, gnats, and mosquitoes compare damselfly

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